Balat

Where is Balat?

Balat is the shore of Golden Horn in the Fatih district of İstanbul. The Sephardic Jows who expelled from Spain were accepted with open arms by the Ottomans and setted in same part of the city. Balat became a centre for the regilious minorities of İstanbul. There, mosques, churches and synagogues can be seen side by side as if a living proof of the praternity of religion. Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror granted privileges to the Christian and Jewish rituals free of intervention. Those priveges are considered to be fine examples of Ottoman tolerance, and helped to keep the Christian community in the city. Google Maps - Balat

How to Go Balat?

You can walk the shore of sea to Eminönü for going Balat after get off Ayvansaray station of the Metrobus. You can use Public Buses.İETT Şehir otobüsleri - Balat

Places where next to Balat

The Synagogues of BalatThere is still triving Jewish community living in Balat. Two of their synagogues are on the Vodina Street, and the first one to visit is Çana Synagogue ,was built by Jews expelled from Spain.The Ahrida Synagogue is on the same road though, it was built by Jews who emigrated from Macedonia. The third synagogue is the Yanbol Synagogue which is situated on the Düriye Street, a street crossing the main road, was build by the Jews who emigrated from Bulgaria. Also along the shores of Haliç is the Or-Ahayim Hospital which has attractive architectural features and was built as a Jewish hospital in1896.Walking Next to hospital to Eminönü, you can see Church of the Stephen of the Bulgars in Balat, is made of cast iron. If not go, you should go to Molla Aşkı Culture Park from Balat, has very nice sightseeing.